First big domino falls today. Ricky Nolasco traded to the Dodgers for Steven Ames, Josh Wall, and Angel Sanchez. None are very big names, with Sanchez as MLB.com Jonathan Mayo's 8th-best prospect in the LAD system.

Might as well start looking at this thread. Barring an epic failure the rest of July, I'd imagine the Indians would try to be buyers instead of sellers, so there should be a good amount of rumors about them.

I'm happy with most of those names if the deal doesn't include Lindor. Garza is a free agent after this season, so maybe he could come cheap as a rental. From what I've heard--I think from Castrovince--the Indians seem more interested in someone they can control past this year (Samardzija, Gallardo). In that case, the price (Lindor? Shudder...) goes up. I'm willing to include almost anyone in our farm system if the return is right, but I do hope they stick to their convictions and hold onto the guy who may very well be one of the top prospects in all of baseball by the end of the season. Problem is, of course, that none of our other prospects hold quite the same value in a trade.

Whatever happens, this promises to be an interesting month. Either way, I'd say we're guaranteed a bigger trade than Lars Anderson.

Toxicadam wrote:I'd rather see the Indians bolster the bullpen. Raffy Betancourt is out there (assuming he comes back healthy)

I really like Jesse Crain, Matt Thornton, and Matt Lindstrom from the White Sox. I'd be happy to get any one of those three.

I think they need two arms, a starter and a reliever, preferably left handed, or at least a RHP with decent splits v. LHB (Crain). They should get McAllister back around the DL and he's a good #3 if healthy.

Like Adverb said above, they're going to look for a guy who they control through next season. The FA SP crop sucks this summer and Kluber and McAllister probably are what they are. Bauer's their only hope for a rotation upgrade next season and that looks dicey right now.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

Cubs now internally discussing signing Garza to a long-term deal. I think it's a bit of posturing on Theo Epstein's part. He knows the SP trade market sucks. Of course, the Marlins sold Nolasco for pennies on the dollar, so maybe that worries him a bit. In any event, it's an interesting development.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

The Indians seek a top-of-the-rotation type of starting pitcher, writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, and the pursuit has led them to focus exclusively on the Cubs' Matt Garza and the Brewers' Yovani Gallardo. Heyman notes that no deal is close on either front. The Indians have decent rotation depth, so they're not interested in lesser starters.

The Indians are on Gallardo's no-trade list, as first reported by Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish in June. He could approve a trade to Cleveland, but it would represent an additional hurdle for the Indians and Brewers. As Brewers GM Doug Melvin explained to Anthony Witrado of Sporting News in June, "That Yovani is not a free agent like guys like [Zack] Greinke or Anibal Sanchez last year, he has more value than just two months of a rental, so the package from another team has to be something that will wow me." Gallardo is under contract through 2014 with a club option for '15.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported earlier today that the Indians and Rangers "are known to have strong interest" in Garza. A Garza trade appears to be a question of "when," rather than "if." I imagine the Cubs' focus in Garza talks will be on pitching, and I would guess they'd bring up names like Danny Salazar, Carlos Carrasco (optioned to Triple-A today), and even Trevor Bauer. The Indians also seek bullpen help, notes Heyman, a need that the Cubs could accommodate.

skatingtripods wrote:Cubs now internally discussing signing Garza to a long-term deal. I think it's a bit of posturing on Theo Epstein's part. He knows the SP trade market sucks. Of course, the Marlins sold Nolasco for pennies on the dollar, so maybe that worries him a bit. In any event, it's an interesting development.

But you have to remember, they're the Marlins. With a trade you either get prospects or $$ and Miami, as they always do, chose the $$ when they had LAD take on Nolasco's whole contract.

Dnthateonthepronk wrote:Yeah if its for some mid level prospects im fine, but i dont see them moving Lindor for either anyways. Maybe Naquin in a deal for Gallardo but if Melvin insists on Lindor it wont happen.

I have to assume that unless the Dodgers call discussing Clayton Kershaw's name, or the Phillies say "We'll give you Cliff Lee and cover half of his salary!", Antonetti has Lindor off the table.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

rebelwithoutaclue wrote:But you have to remember, they're the Marlins. With a trade you either get prospects or $$ and Miami, as they always do, chose the $$ when they had LAD take on Nolasco's whole contract.

Very true. I don't know how Jeff Loria sleeps at night.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

The Indians are more than a SP or bullpen arm away from contending. Unless they can lock up a player that is an improvement for a few years, they should stand pat. Certainly any of their top 5 guys should be off the table.

rebelwithoutaclue wrote:But you have to remember, they're the Marlins. With a trade you either get prospects or $$ and Miami, as they always do, chose the $$ when they had LAD take on Nolasco's whole contract.

Erie Warrior wrote:The Indians are more than a SP or bullpen arm away from contending. Unless they can lock up a player that is an improvement for a few years, they should stand pat. Certainly any of their top 5 guys should be off the table.

Antonetti was on with Hammy yesterday and he said that they weren't giving up anything substantial for a rental. They're in the market for a player they'd control through at least 2014, preferably longer.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

Dnthateonthepronk wrote:Yeah if its for some mid level prospects im fine, but i dont see them moving Lindor for either anyways. Maybe Naquin in a deal for Gallardo but if Melvin insists on Lindor it wont happen.

I have to assume that unless the Dodgers call discussing Clayton Kershaw's name, or the Phillies say "We'll give you Cliff Lee and cover half of his salary!", Antonetti has Lindor off the table.

I agree......Tony Lastoria said soemthing on twitter that he would prob only be on the table for Stanton(in terms of realistic targets)

Dnthateonthepronk wrote:Yeah if its for some mid level prospects im fine, but i dont see them moving Lindor for either anyways. Maybe Naquin in a deal for Gallardo but if Melvin insists on Lindor it wont happen.

I have to assume that unless the Dodgers call discussing Clayton Kershaw's name, or the Phillies say "We'll give you Cliff Lee and cover half of his salary!", Antonetti has Lindor off the table.

OMG CLAYTON KERSHAW IS AVAILABLE!!! LET'S GIVE THEM PHIL HUGHES AND OUR MINOR LEAGUE PITCHER THAT THE ESPN PEOPLE LIKE!

Pabo wrote:Yeah. Write those guys' names down somewhere and put them in a time capsule. Come back in five years and tell me about their careers.

Now you are going away from your original point. Them being good 5 years from now means nothing in terms of your original comment.

Every team in baseball has a dozen or so guys they hold in high regard (at least outwardly). Those players you mention don't give the Indians some ultra-unique bargaining chips that other teams are drooling over. I suppose Lindor would have some value, but I don't honestly think this team is loaded with interesting prospects, except in the eyes of the Indians PR machine and their pollyanna fans.

I suppose Lindor would have some value, but I don't honestly think this team is loaded with interesting prospects, except in the eyes of the Indians PR machine and their pollyanna fans.

Lindor is universally regarded as a top 10 prospect in all of baseball this year. Some people are talking him up as #1 overall next year. Regardless of your stance on prospects, that's an asset.

Lindor was 28th on Baseball America's list early this year. I don't think that qualifies for top 10. But regardless, I take back everything I said based on Salazar's first two innings. This guy is the shizznick!!! I am officially on board!!!!!!!

Also have to consider that he's just in Single-A, which likely affects his ranking. Smaller sample sizes and such.

Parks's top 10 was Profar, Taveras, Cole, Bundy, Wheeler, Fernandez, Myers, Buxton, Walker, Lindor. Most of those guys started the year in Triple-A, are there by now, or have already made the bigs. Understandable that Lindor would be rated below them.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

Dnthateonthepronk wrote:Yeah if its for some mid level prospects im fine, but i dont see them moving Lindor for either anyways. Maybe Naquin in a deal for Gallardo but if Melvin insists on Lindor it wont happen.

I have to assume that unless the Dodgers call discussing Clayton Kershaw's name, or the Phillies say "We'll give you Cliff Lee and cover half of his salary!", Antonetti has Lindor off the table.

I agree......Tony Lastoria said soemthing on twitter that he would prob only be on the table for Stanton(in terms of realistic targets)

That statement is hilarious on so many levels.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves-----Abe Lincoln

Let me tell you, if any of you douchebag empty headed stuffed suit nanny politicians tries to fuck with my bacon, I’m going after you like a crazed chimpanzee on bath salts. -----Lars

I suppose Lindor would have some value, but I don't honestly think this team is loaded with interesting prospects, except in the eyes of the Indians PR machine and their pollyanna fans.

Lindor is universally regarded as a top 10 prospect in all of baseball this year. Some people are talking him up as #1 overall next year. Regardless of your stance on prospects, that's an asset.

Lindor was 28th on Baseball America's list early this year. I don't think that qualifies for top 10. But regardless, I take back everything I said based on Salazar's first two innings. This guy is the shizznick!!! I am officially on board!!!!!!!

In the midseason rankings, Lindor is 5th on BA's list. On BP/Parks' list, he's #4. I think that qualifies for top 10.

You're offering precious little fact or analysis to this conversation. Lots of exclamation points though, which I suppose is something.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves-----Abe Lincoln

Let me tell you, if any of you douchebag empty headed stuffed suit nanny politicians tries to fuck with my bacon, I’m going after you like a crazed chimpanzee on bath salts. -----Lars

Sources say there has been more discussion about a possible swap that was talked about in the offseason: the Indians’ Asdrubal Cabrera to St. Louis.

It’s unclear just how far advanced these talks are, whether it’s more conceptual or internal at the moment, and undoubtedly, it’s a deal that would be more easily done in the offseason, with more time.

But it’s a situation worth watching, because it could be an in-season match that could make sense for both teams. For St. Louis, Cabrera would represent an upgrade at shortstop: He’s 27 years old and a switch-hitting, two-time All-Star with power and experience. Cabrera has a .725 OPS and has demonstrated the ability to play multiple positions, which is why the Yankees have asked about him repeatedly. He could play shortstop, yes, but also third base or second or even first, so if the Yankees needed to fill in for Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez or Robinson Cano -- depending on developments ranging from injury (Jeter and A-Rod) to PED suspension (A-Rod) to free-agent departure (Cano, perhaps), Cabrera could step in. Cabrera makes $6.5 million this year, and will earn $10 million next season, before becoming eligible for free agency.

The Indians are positioned to consider trading him, because if Cabrera were swapped, they could cover his departure in the short term with Mike Aviles -- and, of course, star prospect Francisco Lindor is climbing through the minors as the long-term solution; he’s hitting .307 in high-A ball this year, at just 19 years old.

The Indians presumably would require at least one really good prospect in return, somebody close to the big leagues, and the Yankees don’t necessarily have a lot to choose from at the top of their system. But the Cardinals do, particularly with their pitching; they have what is regarded as the best farm system in the game, and they are loaded with great young arms -- Shelby Miller and Trevor Rosenthal already have graduated to the big league level and presumably are not available, and Carlos Martinez and Michael Wacha are top arms in the minors, among others. (Martinez, by the way, was just called up to work out of the St. Louis bullpen, as Derrick Goold writes.)

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves-----Abe Lincoln

Let me tell you, if any of you douchebag empty headed stuffed suit nanny politicians tries to fuck with my bacon, I’m going after you like a crazed chimpanzee on bath salts. -----Lars

I'd take Wacha and a decent ceiling reliever prospect for Cabrera. Doubt Miller and Rosenthal are even discussed.

There can't be too much these two teams don't know about this deal. It was discussed at length last offseason, so we're familiar with what they have, have probably scouted those guys throughout this season, and they know Cabrera's strengths and weaknesses.

Admittedly, I don't know the Yankees system like I know STL's, especially since I wrote that Should We Trade Cabrera to St. Louis article before the season, but I'd rather send him to STL.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

skatingtripods wrote:I'd take Wacha and a decent ceiling reliever prospect for Cabrera. Doubt Miller and Rosenthal are even discussed.

There can't be too much these two teams don't know about this deal. It was discussed at length last offseason, so we're familiar with what they have, have probably scouted those guys throughout this season, and they know Cabrera's strengths and weaknesses.

Admittedly, I don't know the Yankees system like I know STL's, especially since I wrote that Should We Trade Cabrera to St. Louis article before the season, but I'd rather send him to STL.

Forget Wacha. Two words: Carlos Martinez. Might be too late though as he was just called up to pitch out of the pen and I'm sure St. Louis knows what they have in him. If they Indians are smart they'll start by asking for Rosenthal and "settle" for Martinez.

Per BP:

Scouting Report: Martinez has always drawn considerable praise for his exceptional fastball. He consistently sits in the 94-97 mph range with his four-seamer and has regularly touched 99 mph in the past. Even his sinking two-seamer has excellent velocity, sitting in the 92-93 mph range and touching 95 when he wants a little more. Martinez likes to attack with his fastball and shows the ability to move it around the zone when he doesn’t overthrow. To back up up his fastball, Martinez offers both a very good curveball and changeup. His curveball will occasionally work as a plus pitch with tight rotation and good depth.

As if that weren’t enough, Martinez’s changeup could be a second legitimate plus-plus offering. He has tremendous arm speed when throwing it, affording him excellent deception. Martinez routinely throws strikes with all three pitches and over the last two seasons has developed his ability to work outside the zone and make the “pitcher’s pitch.” If the Cardinals decide to keep Martinez in the bullpen long term, he could become an All-Star-level closer. But many scouts still believe Martinez has a future as a no. 2 starter in a championship rotation.

I'd take either or. I think Wacha's a safer kind of guy, especially because he's a definite rotation fixture. Martinez definitely has more upside than Wacha. I'm a little bit worried about the bullpen projections and he's probably a much higher injury risk than Wacha. You can always find bullpen arms (see the Steve Delabars and Cody Allens of the world). Quality starters are harder to find. If Martinez can stay a starter, great. But I'm not convinced based on what I've read. I don't know if the Indians would be either.

Let's put it this way, either one is an upgrade and I'd be happy to acquire them at the expense of our final year and two months of Cabrera.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

The only issue I'd have with trading Cabrera is whether you could find a quality bench guy to take Aviles' spot there.

You look at this year and their offensive numbers are similar. You look at career numbers and their numbers are similar. AsCab has sizable advantage in OPS+ but...

Defensively their numbers are also close and both are actually + defenders.

Bottom line is I simply (I I I, IOW MY opinion) don't see a huge difference after watching Cabrera get fat and lazy in the second halves of seasons and spend a lot of time in the three hole over the years with meh production. Cabrera's prone to moodiness and whining at times (and maybe Aviles is too but I haven't seen it as much).

I know Cabrera has a couple ASGs to his name but in some ways that's more a reflection of the lack of talent around him in some years.

I just wouldn't be bothered by AsCab being dealt. But my preference would be for a non-midget pitcher

Every guy 6'0 and under who can throw hard is likened to Pedro. Still waiting on Pedro.

With Aviles and then Lindor in 2015 (hopefully) I don't think you miss a beat at the spot.

peeker643 wrote:The only issue I'd have with trading Cabrera is whether you could find a quality bench guy to take Aviles' spot there.

Exactly what I brought up earlier with somebody. Gotta find a good backup SS because Juan Diaz ain't gonna cut it. Preferably a plus defender with 3B capability too. I don't care if he hits. Just needs to be able to pick it. And not be John McDonald.

Wonder what Oliver Perez + Brendan Ryan would cost from Seattle...

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

Matt Thornton traded to Boston for Single-A OF Brandon Jacobs, ranked the 11th best prospect in Boston's system by MLB.com.

The White Sox fire sale is on. Time to go get Jesse Crain before someone else does.

Also, this deal, in a way, sets the Oliver Perez market.

On Jacobs:

According to MLB.com's write-up, the young man once recruited to play football for Auburn has "considerable raw tools" but has struggled with plate discipline. If he can control the strike zone more and become efficient, the write-up continues, it's still all there for Jacobs to become an impact bat playing an outfield corner.

We've gotta have a guy like that lying around somewhere in the system.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

Anyone else a tad worried that Lindor's promotion--though well-deserved--may also have been timed to showcase him in the higher-profile and more competitive AA level for trade purposes? Or is it just "his time?"

Adverb Harry wrote:Anyone else a tad worried that Lindor's promotion--though well-deserved--may also have been timed to showcase him in the higher-profile and more competitive AA level for trade purposes? Or is it just "his time?"

His time. Can't do much more in the Carolina League than he's already done. Natural progression. Play out the year in Akron. Start in Akron next year, move to Columbus about this time in 2014. Compete for Indians Opening Day roster in 2015.

Again, it has to be a serious impact player for us to move Lindor. Even with somebody like Cliff Lee, I think the Phils would have to cover a serious chunk of cash for Lindor to be included, if at all.

I wouldn't worry. Lindor's about as untouchable as they come. The Indians were willing to move Pomeranz because his command and control didn't project well to the bigs. So far, those concerns have been validated. Lindor's a different story.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe